Furuncules (boils) can be red, painful, and quite large. This is a close-up of a furuncule (boil), which has the typical round shape. Furuncles tend to be raised from the skin surface and tender to the touch. Furuncules (boils) can occur anywhere, including on the fingers. This person has several scattered furuncules (boils). This person has many scattered furuncules (boils) from staphylococcus (staph) bacteria. When furuncles (boils) are clustered, they can sometimes be confused with other infections, such as herpes. The furuncule (boil) on the left side of the picture is new and just developing, the lesion on the right side of the picture appears a few days old and is resolving.
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Boils (Furunculosis)  A parent's guide to condition and treatment information

Picture of Boils (Furunculosis): Furuncules (boils) can be red, painful, and quite large. Divider line
Furuncules (boils) can be red, painful, and quite large.
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Signs and Symptoms
A red-to-purple, tender lump on an area of the skin that also has hair. The most common areas for boils to occur are places where there is friction and/or places that tend to be sweaty, such as the buttocks, armpits, groin, neck, shoulders, and face. The skin surrounding the lump may look swollen and red. The center of the lump eventually becomes filled with yellow or white pus that you will be able to see (called "coming to a head"). The pus is a mixture of bacteria and infection-fighting white blood cells.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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